ON THE CASE AT SHAUGHNESSY
Holmes adjusting to life as a pro
If Evan Holmes thought his days as a student were over after graduating from the University of British Columbia in December, he was sadly mistaken.
The fledgling golf professional, who declared his pro status in March, has spent the past five months learning about the game and his swing. And he’s about to step up a class this week as he tees it up in the first round of the Mackenzie Tour’s Freedom 55 Financial Open at Point Grey Golf Club today.
The 2017 U Sports men’s individual champion spent a couple of months in Arizona following graduation working on his game with some buddies in the warm weather. He returned to Vancouver in time for the start of the Vancouver Golf Tour in early March and began his first season as a pro.
He’s now playing golf to pay the bills.
“It’s a lot nicer in that when you play well you make money instead of just gift certificates,” said the Calgary native, who finished with a 1-over 71 at the VGT Ledgeview Classic in Abbotsford in early April to cash his first pro cheque. A tie for ninth earned him $128.57.
That won’t pay a lot of bills, but it’s not really about the money right now for Holmes, it’s about getting his feet wet as a young professional and feeling comfortable competing with seasoned pros.
“I haven’t noticed a big transition yet between amateur golf and pro golf. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. I feel fairly comfortable out there and I’m really looking forward to the Mackenzie Tour,” said Holmes.
“I’ve got an exemption into this week, but I’ll try to Monday qualify into the rest of the B.C. swing and hope for a good status heading into the reshuffle.”
Getting his first start on the Mackenzie Tour just down the road from where he went to school and just around the corner from where the UBC team practised regularly at Shaughnessy has to help Holmes get off to a good start.
“I know a fair bit (about the course). It’s a pretty tight golf course, you have to keep it in the fairway to score as the greens should be firm and fast this week. Hitting it on the fairway off the tee will be paramount,” said Holmes.
“There are some scoring holes out here for sure, but there are some tough ones, too, and you need to pick and choose your battles carefully.”
Fortunately, Holmes has a game that should lend itself well to what Point Grey has to offer.
“(My game) fits the course pretty well. I’m a pretty good ball striker, so I feel confident on a course that demands that. As long as I’m hitting fairways and greens, it should be a good week.”
Holmes, 22, is full of confidence heading into his first fullfield pro event. But it’s a cautious confidence, that of someone who knows the learning curve is steep and the road to success is littered with players who thought they had what it takes to cash big cheques on the PGA Tour.
“I’m really not putting too high of expectations on myself this week,” said Holmes. “I know that I can play well out here, but this is more about learning about things on the bigger stage and getting used to it.”
It’s also about learning to live with the disappointments that life as a pro golfer is bound to throw your way.
After all, there is only one winner every week with another 100 or more competitors heading home thinking about what they have to
do in order to make it to the top of the pack.
“All golfers have peaks and valleys, whether you are on the PGA Tour or at this level,” said Holmes. “I think it’s a matter of managing your lower levels rather than just riding the ups. As long as your bad isn’t that bad, it’s a lot easier to stay consistent. I think that’s what all golfers strive for: the ability to manage their consistency even when they might not have it on that day.”
Right now this is all theory for Holmes. Putting it into practice is something else entirely. But that’s all part of the learning curve, as is finding the right balance between golf and the rest of life.
“I’ve heard a lot of stories about guys turning pro and spending eight or 10 hours a day on the range. And I’ve heard about guys getting burned out,” said Holmes.
“I think you have to find that balance between what you want to do and what you need to do on that day. You always have to do something every day, whether it is in the gym or on the course, but I wouldn’t say I’m going 10 hours every day. I’m trying to keep everything in moderation and trust my body.”
See, he’s learning already.
I haven’t noticed a big transition yet between amateur golf and pro golf. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.